Personification Worksheets
Learn to give human qualities to non-human things
What Is Personification?
Personification is a figure of speech that gives human qualities, characteristics, or behaviors to non-human things like animals, objects, or ideas. It makes writing more vivid and engaging by making inanimate objects seem alive and relatable. From "the wind whispered" to "the sun smiled," personification brings the world to life.
Types of Personification
Nature Personification
The wind whispered
Wind given human speech
The sun smiled
Sun given human emotion
The trees danced
Trees given human movement
The ocean roared
Ocean given human sound
Object Personification
The clock ticked impatiently
Clock given human emotion
The car coughed and sputtered
Car given human illness
The door groaned
Door given human sound
The book called to me
Book given human action
Abstract Concept Personification
Time flew by
Time given movement
Death knocked at the door
Death given human action
Love whispered sweetly
Love given human speech
Fear gripped my heart
Fear given human action
Personification Examples
The wind whispered through the trees, telling secrets to the leaves.
The old car coughed and sputtered as it struggled up the hill.
The sun smiled down on the children playing in the park.
Time flew by as we lost ourselves in the story.
Worksheet 1: Identify Personification
Find the personification in each sentence:
The wind whispered through the trees.
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Answer: "whispered" - wind given human speech
The old car coughed and sputtered.
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Answer: "coughed and sputtered" - car given human illness
The sun smiled down on the children.
Show Answer
Answer: "smiled" - sun given human emotion
Worksheet 2: Create Personification
Add personification to these sentences:
The clock _____ (impatiently)
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Answer: ticked impatiently
The door _____ (loudly)
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Answer: groaned loudly
The trees _____ (in the wind)
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Answer: danced in the wind
Worksheet 3: Personification Categories
Sort these personifications by category:
Nature: wind whispered, sun smiled, trees danced, ocean roared
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Answer: All are nature personifications
Objects: clock ticked, car coughed, door groaned, book called
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Answer: All are object personifications
Abstract: time flew, death knocked, love whispered, fear gripped
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Answer: All are abstract concept personifications
Worksheet 4: Personification Meanings
Explain what each personification means:
"The wind whispered"
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Answer: The wind made a soft, gentle sound
"The car coughed"
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Answer: The car made sputtering, irregular sounds
"Time flew by"
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Answer: Time passed very quickly
Interactive Quiz: Personification vs Other Devices
Identify if each is personification or another device:
1. "The wind whispered" vs "The wind is like a whisper"
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Answer: First is personification, second is simile
2. "The sun smiled" vs "The sun is a smile"
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Answer: First is personification, second is metaphor
3. "The trees danced" vs "The trees moved in the wind"
Show Answer
Answer: First is personification, second is literal
Tips for Using Personification
Choose Appropriate Qualities
Give human qualities that make sense for the object or concept.
Be Creative
Think of unique ways to personify objects and concepts.
Use Sparingly
Too much personification can make writing feel forced.
Quick Reference
Pro Tip
Personification brings writing to life - use it to make your descriptions more vivid and engaging!